Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip Ingredients: Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip: 2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated (divided) 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature (full-fat or Neufchatel) 1/4 heaping cup cranberry sauce (canned, leftover, or homemade) 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (frozen cranberries can be substituted, do not thaw) 1/8- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional, fresh or ground) Optional Homemade Cranberry Sauce: 12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries (do not thaw) 1 cup sugar (natural cane sugar or white sugar) 3 tablespoons orange juice (fresh squeezed or store-bought) 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh is best) 1/4 cup water Directions: Optional Homemade Cranberry Sauce: Remove 1/2 cup of cranberries for the dip. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining cranberries, sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, and water. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries start to burst. Some cranberries will remain whole while others break down. Let the cranberry sauce cool and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To Make the Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) or 350°F (175°C) for convection ovens. Lightly spray a 1 1/2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. In a medium-large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and 1 3/4 cups of grated cheddar cheese. If desired, stir in the nutmeg to taste (about 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon). Gently fold in the cranberry sauce and the reserved 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries. Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining 1/4 cup of grated cheddar cheese. Bake for 18-23 minutes (or 15 minutes for convection) until bubbly in the middle and golden around the edges. Cover with foil if the top is browning too quickly. A few minutes before removing from the oven, sprinkle additional cheddar cheese on top and remove the foil to allow the cheese to brown slightly. Serve warm with crostini, crackers, or pita chips. For an extra touch, grate a little fresh nutmeg over the top before serving. Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus optional sauce cooking time) Cook Time: 18-23 minutes Total Time: 30-35 minutes Kcal: 250 kcal per serving Servings: 8 servings This Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is the ultimate combination of savory and sweet. The rich cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese create a creamy base, while the cranberry sauce adds a tangy and fruity burst of flavor. Baked until bubbly and golden, this warm dip is perfect for any holiday gathering. The fresh cranberries on top add a beautiful pop of color, making this dish as visually appealing as it is delicious. Serve this dip with crostini, crackers, or pita chips for a satisfying and comforting appetizer that will be the star of your party. The creamy texture, combined with the sweet and tart cranberries, makes this dip a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a festive celebration or cozying up for a night in, this dip will deliver on both flavor and presentation.
